Water-based power generation installations

Abstract

A water-based power generating installation includes a water based power generating device operable to derive power from a body of water, and to export that power via a power export cable, and an infrastructure arrangement for providing a power export connection from the installation, and including infrastructure equipment for the installation, which infrastructure equipment serves to connect the power generating device with the power export connection.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An infrastructure arrangement for a water-based power generating installation, the installation including a power generating device operable to: (1) derive electrical power from a body of water, and (2) to export the electrical power via a power generating device export cable, the infrastructure arrangement being separate from the power generating installation and comprising:
 a base configured to be positioned on a bed of a body of water, the base comprising:
 a power transfer connection connected to the base and configured to transfer the electrical power from the infrastructure arrangement; 
 a power input connection configured to receive the electrical power from the power generating device of the power generating installation via power generating device export cable, and 
 an engagement system configured to receive an infrastructure module; and 
 
 the infrastructure module releasably engaged with the engagement system of the base, the infrastructure module including an electrical connection apparatus configured to electrically connect the power input connection of the base to the power transfer connection of the base, 
 wherein: 
 the power input connection of the base includes a connector portion that is configured to connect to a corresponding connector portion of the power generating device export cable, and 
 the power input connection of the base defines a connector shape such that a connector module of the power generating device export cable is configured to be lowered onto the power input connection of the base to connect the power generating device export cable to the power input connection. 
 
     
     
       2. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector portions are wet-mate connectors. 
     
     
       3. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping apparatus for holding the infrastructure module in place on the engagement system. 
     
     
       4. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure module and base are provided with at least one cooperating wet-mate connector pair. 
     
     
       5. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure module is buoyant. 
     
     
       6. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure module is buoyant and is adapted to be deployed on the base using a winch arrangement. 
     
     
       7. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power transfer connection is adapted for connection with the power generating device export cable using a spliced, dry-mate or wet-mate connector. 
     
     
       8. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base is a gravity base unit. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure module includes one or more switch, frequency converter, isolator, circuit breaker, signal booster, transformer, and/or measurement and control equipment. 
     
     
       10. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base further includes one or more switch, frequency converter, isolator, circuit breaker, signal booster, transformer, and/or measurement and control equipment. 
     
     
       11. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power generating device export cable includes a subsea umbilical termination unit configured to connect the power generating device export cable to the jumper cable, the jumper cable being configured to connect to the power input connection of the base. 
     
     
       12. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the power generating device export cable includes a subsea umbilical termination unit for connecting the power generating device export cable from the power generating device to a jumper cable, the jumper cable being configured to connect to the power input connection of the base, and 
 the jumper cable comprises a wet-mate connector configured to connect to the subsea umbilical termination unit. 
 
     
     
       13. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the jumper cable comprises a wet-mate connector configured to connect to the power input connection of the base. 
 
     
     
       14. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 the power generating device export cable includes a subsea umbilical termination unit for connecting the power generating device export cable from the power generating device to a jumper cable, 
 the jumper cable is configured to connect to the power input connection of the base, the jumper cable having a first end and a second end with respective wet-mate connector portions, and 
 the power input connection is provided by the jumper cable such that the first end of the jumper cable is configured to connect to the base, and the second end of the jumper cable is configured to connect to the subsea umbilical termination unit. 
 
     
     
       15. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power transfer connection and/or power export cable of the generating device comprises power and auxiliary connections. 
     
     
       16. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the power transfer connection and/or power export cable of the generating device comprises power and auxiliary connections, and 
 the power and auxiliary connections are provided in separate respective cables. 
 
     
     
       17. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the power transfer connection and/or power export cable of the generating device comprises power and auxiliary connections, and 
 the power and auxiliary connections are provided in a single cable. 
 
     
     
       18. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the power transfer connection and/or power export cable of the generating device comprises power and auxiliary connections, and 
 the auxiliary connections provide measurement, control and/or communications connections. 
 
     
     
       19. An arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base comprises a plurality of power input connections configured to receive power from a plurality of power generating devices, and 
 the infrastructure module includes equipment configured to connect the plurality of input connections to the power transfer connection. 
 
     
     
       20. A water-based power generating installation comprising:
 a water based power generating device operable to derive power from a body of water, and to export that power via a power generating device export cable; and 
 an infrastructure arrangement for providing a power transfer connection from the arrangement, the infrastructure arrangement including infrastructure equipment for the installation, the infrastructure equipment being configured to connect the power generating device to the power transfer connection, 
 wherein the infrastructure arrangement is provided by an arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       21. An installation as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the power generating device is a water stream turbine device. 
     
     
       22. An installation as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the power generating device is a tidal stream turbine device. 
     
     
       23. An installation as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the power generating device is a wave powered device.